Steam Punk is cool. However, as much as I love the look, it’s 99 percent fancy. For the real deal — purpose built machines still grinding on all of these years later — nothing tops a massive steam locomotive, roaring down the tracks at the head of train.

Whereas you can probably find an operating steam locomotive within driving distance of where you live and go for a ride, the next best thing — an iPad, iPhone or iPod touch plus a free app — much closer at hand.

Union Pacific Railroad Company’s UP Steam (iTunes, free) offers descriptions for their two operating locomotives — 844: a 4-8-4 weighing nearly a million pounds, and 3938: a massive 4-6-6-4, the world’s biggest operating steam engine — as well as photos, videos and updated schedules of their appearances.

Yes, you can see first hand and, occasionally, ride behind these monsters.

Barring those opportunities, put some real steam power in your pocket now…